Category Archives: Recommendations

In Theatres & On VOD: AT THE READY

Coming to theatres and to VOD today, Friday, October 22:
AT THE READY

Director:
Maisie Crow

World Premiere:
Sundance 2021

Select Festivals:
Cleveland, Atlanta, Maryland, Dallas, Milwaukee

About:
Latinx teens in El Paso contemplate careers in border patrol and law enforcement against the backdrop of increasing xenophobia.

I profiled the doc before Sundance here.

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Filed under Documentary, Film, Film Festivals, Recommendations, Releases, Sundance

In Theatres: BECOMING COUSTEAU

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Friday, October 22:
BECOMING COUSTEAU

Director:
Liz Garbus

World Premiere:
Telluride 2021

Select Festivals:
Toronto, Hamptons, Camden, BFI London, Mill Valley, Rome

About:
A portrait of the visionary explorer, activist and TV host.

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Streaming: INTRODUCING, SELMA BLAIR

Coming to Discovery+ tomorrow, Thursday, October 21:
INTRODUCING, SELMA BLAIR

Director:
Rachel Fleit

World Premiere:
SXSW 2021

Select Festivals:
Hamptons

About:
In a quest to take control of her personal health after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, actor Selma Blair adapts to new ways of living while pursuing an experimental medical procedure.

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On DVD: ON BROADWAY

Coming to DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, October 19:
ON BROADWAY

Director:
Oren Jacoby

World Premiere:
Hamptons 2019

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, New York Jewish, RiverRun, Atlanta Jewish, Miami Jewish, Sedona, Boulder Jewish

About:
A history of and love letter to Broadway.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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In Theatres: INTRODUCING, SELMA BLAIR

Coming to theatres today, Friday, October 15:
INTRODUCING, SELMA BLAIR

Director:
Rachel Fleit

World Premiere:
SXSW 2021

Select Festivals:
Hamptons

About:
In a quest to take control of her personal health after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, actor Selma Blair adapts to new ways of living while pursuing an experimental medical procedure.

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Streaming: CRUTCH

Coming to Discovery+ today, Thursday, October 14:
CRUTCH

Director:
Sachi Cunningham, Vayabobo

World Premiere:
DOC NYC 2020

Select Festivals:
Cleveland, ReelAbilities, Bentonville

About:
From angry skatepunk to international provocateur, the emotional story of a one-of-a-kind artist’s struggle to be understood.

The film previously screened at DOC NYC, for which our program notes read:
Dance, art, performance, and disability politics converge in this entertaining and enlightening portrait of Bill Shannon, an internationally renowned artist, break dancer, and skate punk, who wields his crutches as tools of expression and instruments for audience provocation. The film journeys through a decade of intimate access and a lifetime of archival footage that includes Shannon’s stage work for Cirque du Soleil, the Sydney Opera House, the Tate Modern, and the Chicago MOCA.

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On DVD: ROADRUNNER: A FILM ABOUT ANTHONY BOURDAIN

New to DVD this week:
ROADRUNNER: A FILM ABOUT ANTHONY BOURDAIN

Director:
Morgan Neville

World Premiere:
Tribeca 2021

Select Festivals:
Nantucket, AFI Docs

About:
A remarkably constructed portrait of the uncommon life and untimely death of the late storyteller, explorer, and chef.

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In Theatres & Streaming: THE VELVET UNDERGROUND

Coming to theatres tomorrow, Wednesday, October 13 and to Apple TV+ this Friday, October 15:
THE VELVET UNDERGROUND

Director:
Todd Haynes

World Premiere:
Cannes 2021

Select Festivals:
New York Film Festival, Telluride, San Sebastian, Zurich, BFI London, Chicago

About:
An exploration of how The Velvet Underground became a cultural touchstone representing a range of contradictions.

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On DVD: THE BIG SCARY “S” WORD

Coming to DVD today, Tuesday, October 12:
THE BIG SCARY “S” WORD

Director:
Yael Bridge

World Premiere:
Mill Valley 2020

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Hot Docs, AFI Fest, Big Sky Doc, Cleveland, Wisconsin, Mountainfilm, DOXA, Thessaloniki Doc, Melbourne Doc

About:
A comprehensive exploration of the ideology of socialism, increasingly attracting both supporters and detractors in a polarized America.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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On VOD: WITKIN & WITKIN

Coming to VOD tomorrow, Tuesday, October 12:
WITKIN & WITKIN

Director:
Trisha Ziff

World Premiere:
Morelia 2017

Select Festivals:
DOC NYC, Los Cabos, San Francisco DocFest, Hot Docs, AFI Docs

About:
Gifted twin brothers—photographer Joel-Peter Witkin and painter Jerome Witkin—reunite for a joint show.

I previously wrote about the doc here.

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